If your facing “Overwatered Aloe Plant” problem and now its leaves become too soggy, brown then read on. I will answer on “how to fix overwatered aloe plant”, will explain reasons why it happens and how does aloe plant look like when it is overwatered.
How To Fix An Overwatered Aloe Plant?
An overwatered aloe plant looks like water-soaked dead leaves that are soggy and soft. After few days leaves turns yellow or brown & Below soil root rotted. To fix the problem, try repotting it in new container with well-draining soil, let the soil dry out before watering. after this, water it and in few days your aloe will definitely get recovered.
Overwatered Aloe Plant Can be Fixed with Lowering watering or by taking out the damaged leave. When Entire leaf becomes musky, soft from inside the aloe plant would die if not solved. To revive your aloe plant you need to reduce the watering or schedule timing. In some cases changing of pot or potting mix can save the aloe vera plant.
Overwatered aloe plants can be saved by Modifying Potting Soil & replacing it with new pot. Overwatering Aloe Plant symptoms include Browning, Yellowing, Soggy water spots, Water-soaked leaves, May become Soft and overwatered. Best Overwatered plant solution that works is pruning the rotted roots that aren’t looking healthy. Aloe plant decaying, overwatered roots can be removed and use new pot and fresh potting mix for aloe plant & spray fungicide to treat the healthy rooting & save it from overwatering that causes rotting.
You can also revive an aloe plant from overwatering if you stop watering for 3 to 5 days & put it in partial sun so it can heal & use this fungicide as well to counter any fungus growth on its roots. It will not happen again. You create a watering schedule as aloe vera is a succulent and they can live without water for some days but can’t live with overwatering which invites various problems.
Table of Contents
Aloe vera is not made for growing in heavy wet water so it may show signs if the plant is not able to supply water and air to the other parts of the plant. As you might know roots can absorb water and it also needs air. With Overwatering all the soil becomes compact and watery which blocks the air from flowing and then the plant itself can’ get enough air to supply the same with water.
It is easy to save an overwatered aloe plant if you know the symptoms at an early stage and fix it accordingly. Otherwise it will rot and the plant may die. Pruning some of the unhealthy dark roots will save plants and I have seen that your plant can be saved if you remove those black infected roots. At Least this way you can save the plant from spreading infection to healthy cuttings.
If you use the same soil then it can get fungal infections ,that’s why it is advised to use only fresh potting mix which include More nutrients and operation that is when soil is good enough for draining as well as air circulation.
If the damage of root rot is over 90% in aloe plants then it is very difficult to revive such plants. In this case we can try to check for some offshoots that would help us to propagate a newer aloe vera plant. The propagation technique is the only method that could really help or you can ask the neighbor if they already have a aloe plant you can propagate it easily.
Every Plant has its own root system and if it is damaged then it is hard to revive so I suggest you take care of your plant and never do overwatering.
Here is the pictures of overwatered aloe plant video:
About Aloe Vera :
| Family | Asphodelaceae |
| Scientific Name | Aloe barbadensis miller |
| Native | Arabian Peninsula |
| Other Names | Cape aloe,Aloe plant, Chinese aloe, Barbados Aloe |
| Plant Type | Perennial, Succulent |
| Hardiness zone | 4a to 8b |
| Grown | Pots, Containers, Gardens, |
| Height | 24-40 inches(50-101cm) |
| Growth rate | Slower |
| Soil | Well draining, Fertile |
| Light Requirement | Partial Sunlight, Full Sun(Can Tolerate) |
| Fertilizer | Liquid based |
| USDA hardiness | Zone 8 – 11 |
| Blooming Season | Summer |
| Flower Color | Orange, Red, Yellow |
| Leaf Color | Green, Spiky Shape |
| Growth Rate | Slow growing |
| Benefits | For Skin and Body |
| Uses | Cosmetics, skin creams |
| Toxicity | Mild toxic |
Aloe vera varieties :
Aloe vera has more than 400+ species so I am naming the popular ones.
- Aloe Maculata
- Aloe Broomii
- Aloe Ferox
- Aloe Aculeata
- Aloe Perryi
- Aloe Nyeriensis
- Aloe Succotrina
- Aloe Capitata, etc
What to do if you overwater an aloe?
If your aloe plant is overwatered, check roots by gently taking out the plant from soil and let it dry. Now See the roots if its color has changed to become black, sogginess, soft and fungal infection then cut off all the unhealthy ones. Repot it to New pot with a fresh potting mix and examine it for a few days. No need for water , let it dry for 2 days and then give water and check it for any issues.
When growing aloe vera in a pot, water shouldn’t stay inside the pot and drains out if it stays then check why it is taking time. If your soil is compact & hard then overwaters can kill your plant. Change the potting soil immediately to save your plant. Succulent like aloe want water deep into the roots but shouldn’t stay for long.
There are some succulent that doesn’t adjust to any water which has chemicals , as humans we can able to survive but plant reacts to it that chlorine which is added by municipal corporation to purify the water for drinking but plants don’t like this so giving them distilled water can do wonders and you can avoid infections and discoloration.
What does Overwatered aloe look like?
An overwatered aloe looks like mushy, soft, leaves may loose Colors, Watery. Aloe plant overwatered Leaves might Curl and drop to soil. These overwatered leaves of aloe plant may first becomes brown and then turns soggy and falls. Sometimes overwatered aloe have half leaves become Light Yellowish or Brown means it has been given excessive water and it is not good for succulent like aloe. Saving watered aloe using repotting, cutting off roots and much more.
If it is excessively watered then you may encounter sogginess in soil, Fully soaked which is a life threat to aloe plants as succulents don’t like dripping, a flood of water that stays for a few weeks. Either check the pot or its soil mix, these things play a major role in draining water from an overwatered aloe plant. Secondly, roots also get damaged and are able to spread to other healthy roots. That is why I explained in the article below why you need to fix roots immediately if you see any of the symptoms.
How to tell if it is overwatered : leaves are the signs that something is wrong with plant, see leaves may change color or half of the leaves may turn yellow to light brown & if the whole leaf has been dropped fully then aloe plant is excessively overwatered and roots might have damaged more than 70%.
Stems may look mushy in an overwatered aloe plant, check by touching it it feels soft and soggy and having lots of water in it. Even some damaged leaves and stems can be dripping water out. There is no use of that stem; it has been overwatered and weak, So fix this problem in time can save your aloe plant.
How to Fix An Overwatered Aloe Vera
Most common problem in aloe vera is root rot and to revive aloe vera plants you can do various things including repotting, cutting only infected roots, adding well draining soil or using ⅓ larger pot from the root size to help fix this root rot problem.
Let’s discuss every possible solution one by one:
Cut off Roots
Basically in every method you need to check the roots first and then try to revive aloe vera plants. If roots are infected and diseased then take out the plant and remove all the damp soil from the roots. Now if you see drippy, black roots then it is due to overwatering which results in root rot.
First separate healthy roots and infected roots and then use a sterilized, clean pruner or cutting tool because we will need to cut off all the diseased roots about 1-2 inches or more but remember don’t cut the whole root, only the infectious rooting can be trimmed down.
If some roots are damaged then you are lucky it can be saved. After cutting damaged roots you should use fresh soil and a new pot so it will get fresh nutrients from the soil to build back more rooting.
If most of the roots are damaged then it is very hard to revive aloe vera plant and still can save aloe by cutting all the damaged roots, remove the larger leaves 1-2 or more this way all the nutrients are focused on the root development, yes because there would be very less leaves to provide food. So less foliage can enhance the faster rooting which can save the aloe vera plant. And Roots that are healthy can still work as a backup to provide nutrients to the remaining leaves.
Replace Cutting Pot
If your aloe vera plant has root rot then check if your current pot might not drain the water and cause the rooting to develop fungus and turn black. Most common problem every aloe vera plant owner faces is root rot. That is why you need to change the pot.
To repot the aloe vera plant, you need to loosen up the compacted soil so by hitting 2-4 times it will lose some. But in case of aloe vera its roots are intact with soil so you need to have another person helping you do this task.
One person will hole the pot while another will hit the pot from the bottom and sides so most soil will lose, then gently pull the plant out. If soil is hard then use a trowel and start digging the corners first and try again to slide the pot in horizontal direction and hit the bottom and sides of the pot again. Now it will definitely loosen up the soil.
Now after pulling aloe vera plant gently you need a new pot with fresh soil and put the plant carefully inside the pot and fill all the potting mix. Give water to the plant and see if the water is draining at the bottom. Hurry, it is that easy even if you don’t need any person to do this task of repotting.
Changing Pot Size according to root length will provide space to the plant. Some people who have root rot problems early in aloe vera can check for its size if the pot is too large. Your aloe plant roots won’t absorb enough water and all the water may drain out resulting in leaf dry, curling, and may see some pests infestation or fungal diseases.
With the right size pot your aloe vera can survive and thrive for years. You can use terra cotta pots that work best and yes you should give them liquid fertilizer 2 times every year as they may want to grow large leaves otherwise it’s not going to give big sized foliage if not given good fertilizer.
Buy Liquid Fertilizer For Aloe Vera
Buy TerraCotta Pots for Aloe Vera
Buy Hand Trowel, Hand Rake for Aloe and All Succulent plants.
If you want a new Aloe vera Shop now Or Amazon.
Change Potting Mix
Using a well draining and nutrient rich potting mix in aloe vera can be beneficial for long term growth of this plant. Bad soil blends are the worst and often found with fungus gnats which become a headache to many. Equally Mixing the blend with Compost, Potting mix and Nutrient rich succulent and cacti mix could help the plant grow healthier.
You can self make these potting mix for aloe vera plants.
Best potting mix works for aloe vera is 4 parts of garden soil or use a potting soil, 4 parts would be normal sand and lastly for drainage you can mix 2 parts of perlite. To make this potting mix Use 4 cups each of garden soil and sand and take half cup of garden soil quantity(means 2 cups) for perlite or pumice both works for aeration and drainage.
How often to water aloe vera
Water aloe vera plants well but seldom, once every two to three weeks, or when the soil is fully dry.
A well-liked succulent plant called aloe vera is well-known for its curative qualities and ease of upkeep. To grow, aloe vera, like other plants, needs enough watering. Finding the proper balance is essential since either overwatering or underwatering the plant might harm it.
Numerous variables, such as temperature, humidity, and soil type, affect how frequently aloe vera needs watering. Aloe vera plants often require soil that drains well and enables excess water to readily drain away, avoiding waterlogging and root rot.
Due to the higher temperatures and greater evaporation during the summer, aloe vera may need more frequent watering. On the other hand, the plant can need less watering throughout the winter because of the slower development caused by the lower temperatures and shorter daylight hours.
It is crucial to measure the soil moisture level in order to decide when to water your aloe vera plant. If the soil seems dry or damp, stick your finger about an inch into it. It’s time to water your plant if the soil feels dry. Wait a couple more days before watering again if it still seems damp.
Aloe vera has to be watered sparingly yet thoroughly when watering. This entails fully soaking the soil, letting the extra water drain, and then holding off on watering again until the soil is entirely dry. Underwatering may result in dryness and withering, but overwatering can induce root rot.
Overwatered Aloe Vs Underwatered Aloe Vera
Underwatered aloe look like Dry leaf’s, brown Edges & tips, Curl up, wilting leaves, Potting soil may seems dry and compacted because of dehydration but still it is not a life threat to aloe plant because once you start giving it water aloe will recover.
An overwatered aloe plant can be saved but changes are how much roots have been damaged. It may look like mushy stem, watery, soaked leaves, softened and droopy. Excessive watered aloe have leaves browning or yellowing from tip of leaves to middle until it spreads to the whole leaf. Generally aloe plant save water in its leaves but if overwatered this water can be heavy and aloe can’t hold it for many days. It doesn’t like to be overwatered, so revive it as soon as possible whenever you see these leaf signs.
For overwatered plants leaves may turn yellow and it is the first sign and generally it happens to every plant but if give too much water they will become root rot and once roots are fully damaged it cannot be saved.
In underwatered aloe it may limp and droopy if they don’t have enough water. Healthy leaves always stood straight and grow with that spiky leaves. Underwatered aloe leaves are curl to ground or become dry.
Aloe Vera Problems
Aloe vera plant makes a great addition to your garden, grown indoors or outdoors doesn’t matter with its healing properties according to BCM.edu, it is very popular among women for its restoring cure for dull, dry skin even relief burns and treat acne. Although it is succulent and it is immune to disease. You need to do special care as they don’t like sunlight causing sunburns, overwatering very common problems and underwatering.
Root rot is a common problem & can be a life threat for aloe vera. But I am here to help you out with this and here I will discuss how you can revive dying aloe vera. YES IT’S POSSIBLE , Don’t lose hope
1. Drainage Issues(Overwatering)
Method we use to check soil is by inserting our finger inside the soil 2-3 inch to check the moisture. If you feel that there is still water left then try not to give aloe water. Next day again check this way if it’s dry then only give water. Aloe vera being a succulent doesn’t want water often so basically it also depends on the indirect light source and wind. If it is getting dry early then give aloe water in 3-4 days but if damp soil takes time you should wait for it to dry until its dry means it will take 10-12 days or more to dry the soil.
My aloe vera plant gets morning sunlight so it is dry in 4-5 days so i keep an eye on them and water whenever it feels thirsty. Many people face overwatering issues then you should check potting mix and drainage holes for the fix.
Watering Schedule :
- If it is getting pure morning sunlight then give water every week.
- If it is inside the house and has indirect light then it can take 12-14 or more days to dry the soil.
2. Leaves Signs
If aloe vera leaves become light, dull or transparent it simply means that there is a shortage of water and the owner should water aloe immediately. Signs like leaf tip browning can be linked to overwatering if this is the case then dig the plant and check for root rot, below i will explain how you can perform repotting if aloe vera roots are damaged.
I suggest you should have a schedule when to water aloe vera, you can water it in early morning or in late evening. This way they can absorb water inside its roots and supply to other parts of the plants. When giving water in heat it cannot take water instead all water just dries and evaporates with nothing left for the plant to absorb.
3. Underwatering
Many people didn’t know that pot soil can compact if not watered and it can also cause reddish tips or curling. If underwatering is not solved then it will be difficult for water draining which again causes various problems in leaves. Root rot is a very common problem in aloe vera and it could be harmful if not solved.
Final Words
I hope you find the answer on “Overwatered Aloe Plant” and how to fix overwatered aloe plant and also get information on “How does aloe plant looks like?”. I just wanted to tell you keep the aloe plant in bright indirect sun so the water can dry as it can live in dry soil than in soggy soil. also you should keep in mind that always check its soil if aloe soil is getting more water. I have seen many people who have changed the location are not growing 2-3 aloe plant successfully. Sometimes excessive heat create problem, while other days you mistake with too much watering that could lead to root rot or browning of leaves in aloe plant. Don’t worry just keep trying and growing plants this is how you will learn new things.
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